By transporting mangrove finch eggs aboard National Geographic Endeavour for the Research Station, we helped give these critically-endangered birds their best chance at survival.

Mangrove Finches Project

Transporting eggs of one of the world's rarest birds aboard the Endeavor

One of the world’s rarest birds, the mangrove finch—a type of Darwin Finch—has dwindled to a habitat the size of just 12 city blocks. In February 2015, National Geographic Endeavour transported seven mangrove finch eggs from Isabela to Puerto Ayora where the Charles Darwin Research Station is located. As expedition leader Paula Tagle explained, “we had 10% of the world’s entire mangrove finch population aboard our ship.” Researchers then hatched the eggs and reared and released several fledglings back into the wild as part of their “head­-starting” program. With this program, and our help, the Research Station gave these young additions to this rare and special species their best chance at survival.